Spain women’s head coach Jorge Vilda’s entire coaching staff resign in protest at the ‘unacceptable attitudes and statements’ of under-fire FA president Luis Rubiales

Spain women’s head coach Jorge Vilda’s entire coaching staff have resigned citing the behaviour of Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales.

All eleven members of Vilda’s staff released a statement expressing their condemnation for Rubiales’ behavior and support for Jenni Hermoso.

Vilda, whose own future has been the subject of speculation after falling out with several players, is now the sole member of coaching staff still in their position.

The letter has been signed by coaching staff members Javier Lerga, Eugenio Gonzalo, Blanca Romero, Carlos Sanchez, Ruben Jimenez, Sonia Bermudez, Javier Velazquez, Javier Egido, Ander Ruiz, Elena Fernandez and Montse Tome. 

‘As a result of the events that occurred after the final of the Women’s Soccer World Cup, part of the Women’s Soccer Team wants to make its position public,’ the statement read.

Spain women’s head coach Jorge Vilda’s entire coaching staff have resigned from their roles

‘The undersigned express their firmest and most emphatic condemnation of the conduct shown by the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Manuel Rubiales Béjar, with the player of the National Women’s Soccer Team, Jennifer Hermoso.

‘After the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, which took place on August 25, 2023, in which the president of the RFEF did not present his resignation and in which he offered a story that does not reflect in any way any of the feelings of the aforementioned player, who has expressly stated that she felt “victim of aggression”, this part of the Technical Staff supports the player Jennifer Hermoso, endorsing the version offered by her. 

‘Adding the inconvenience of having to necessarily attend the aforementioned assembly on August 25, in which, in addition, there was a particularly hurtful event for this coaching staff, since several of the female members of the coaching staff were forced to wear in the front row, exposing their image and trying to make society and players understand.

‘For all these reasons, the undersigned, in light of the unacceptable attitudes and statements made by the top leader of the RFEF, have made the decision to place their positions at the disposal of the RFEF.

‘This part of the Technical Team shows its support for the statement published by the players of the Women’s National Soccer Team, in reference to said actions and statements made by the president of the RFEF, and more specifically to the public statements made by the player Jenni Hermoso.

‘The undersigned want to end this statement by accepting the part of responsibility that falls to us regarding the restructuring and professionalisation of the Women’s Team, a task for which we have always worked with the greatest motivation and professionalism.’

Rubiales was provisionally suspended from all football-related activity for at least 90 days after he was sanctioned by FIFA’s disciplinary committee.

The suspension amid mounting criticism Rubiales for kissing Hermoso on the lips as Spain celebrated winning the Women’s World Cup.

Luis Rubiales has been hit with an initial 90-day suspension from FIFA after kissing Jenni Hermoso during Spain’s celebrations after winning the Women’s World Cup in Australia

Rubiales came out fighting in a staggering press conference on Friday in which he vowed he would not resign in the face of criticism.

Many female and male players spoke out against Rubiales due to his conduct – with men’s player Borja Iglesias even quitting the national team until Rubiales is axed from his role.

In an extraordinary statement late on Friday night, the crisis-ridden organisation continued their staunch backing of Rubiales after he kissed Hermoso on the mouth following Spain’s World Cup final victory over England on Sunday.

Hermoso, 33, said through the Spanish players’ union FUTPRO that she ‘felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part’. The statement was signed by 56 players, who have refused to play until Rubiales is sacked.

It came after Rubiales had claimed he asked permission to kiss Hermoso, who was said to have responded to say he could give her ‘a little peck’.

‘I want to clarify that, as seen in the images, at no time did I consent to the kiss he gave me and of course in no case did I seek to raise the president. I do not tolerate that my word is questioned, much less that words are invented that I have not said,’ Hermoso said.

In response, the RFEF claimed Rubiales acted with ‘utmost respect’ and says that ‘lies have been spread about him’ from Hermoso’s camp.

The Spanish FA said the organisation and Rubiales ‘will demonstrate each of the lies that are spread either by someone on behalf of the player or, if applicable, by the player herself’.

‘The RFEF and the President, given the seriousness of the content of the press release from the Futpro union, will initiate the corresponding legal actions,’ they added.